Collapsible garment hanger and form



1954 B. WEXLER ETAL COLLAPSIBLE GARMENT HANGER AND FORM 2 Sheets-Sheet Filed Sept. 14, 1951 INVENTOR. BENJAMIN wExLE BY Mam/m 'c. WEXLJER ATTORNEY Jan. 19, 1954 B. WEXLER ET AL 2,666,550

COLLAP SIBLE GARMENT HANGER AND FORM Filed Sept. 14, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 BENJHMIN wExkE y MhRviN C-WEXkER A TTORJVEX Patented Jan. 19, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COLLAPSIBLE- GARMENT HANGER. I AND FORM Benjamin Wexler and Marvin C. Wexler,

. Philadelphia, Pa. Application September 14, 1951, Serial No. 246,554

' is Claims. ((1223-68) lapsed toserve as ahanger for-thegarment and iS more particularly concerned with a construction affording improved means for displaying a garment draped on such a form, and also affording particular-advantage as to the manner, in which such a form functions.

Garment forms that are collapsible "into the shape of relatively fiat units are known. Such a form, when expanded, is commonly used for filling out the upper body portion of a garment, for example, a dress that is to be displayed for sale, the collapsed form being used asian ordinary hanger. Known-dress forms of the class hereinabove referred to have not been entirely satisfactory-because the upper chestand upper ,back portions of these forms do not conform as closely with the contour of the corresponding portions of the human body as do known forms that are not collapsible. In addition, known col- ..lapsibl e dress forms present Tundue difiiculty in the expansion thereof from collapsedcondition and in the maintenance thereof in either expanded or collapsed condition.

Accordingly, it'is an object of this invention ,to provide a combination dress form and hanger,

which in expanded condition, affords adequate means about the neck opening ofla dress draped thereon for supporting the same, the aforementioned means beingformed to correspond tothe shoulders and the upper chest andlupperj back portions of the humanbody, and. which in collapsed condition formsa relatively flat unit suit-. able for use as a hanger. r

'Another object of this invention is to provide such a combination dress form and hanger with means for positively securing the formin' collapsed condition, the aforementionedmeans being releasable for positively expanding the form and 'maintaining it in such condition.

I -And accordingly, this invention may be considered as comprising the various features ofconstruction and/or combination aifordingione or more of the above stated and other objects and advantages as hereinafter more I particularly pointed out in the following detailed description and appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawing of an illustrative apparatus, in which: I Y .7

invention and showing the combination dress being broken awayto structure.

1 together respectively by cross members 23 to 25,

Figure 2 is a front view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1, the fabric being broken away to expose the frame structure.

the frame structure.

Figure 5 is a side view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1, the fabric being'shown in section to expose the frame structure, part. of which is broken away to expose the central interior construction thereof.

Figure 6 is an enlarged view of an upper por tionof the frame structure in the position thereof shown in Figure 2, parts being broken away for the sake of clarity.

Figure 7 issimilarto Figure 5, but shows the frame structure in collapsed condition.

Figure 8 is an enlarged section on line 8-8 of Figure 7 showing the assembly for actuating the folding frame sections.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of an upper portion of the frame structure in the position shown in Figure 8.

Figure 10 is an enlarged section on line Ill-I0 of Figure 8. l

, Figure 11 is an enlarged section on line I l--l| of Figure 6.

, Referring now to the drawings it will be seen that the apparatus chosen to illustrate the presentinvention is a frame structure which, when covered with a suitable material I l, afiords a form v closely resembling the trunk of the human body.

member .22 and cross members 23, 24 and vl5. Main member 22 is made of suitably-heavy wire stock and comprises a pair of similar pieces 26 26 having'opposed end portions rigidly connected together by a pairof plates 2'!-2l and rivets 28. The pieces 26-26 are shaped to outline the shoulders, bust, waist and hips of the human body, and opposed portions thereof at the inclusive, each of the latter being made of suitably. heavy wire stock and comprising a pair of Figure 1 is a perspective view looking at the back of an apparatus incorporating the present similar pieces 29 having opposed end portions rigidly connected together by a plate assembly13l and rivets 32.

Plates 2l'-2l are directly secured together by rivets 33 and the upper end portions thereof are flanged in oppositevdirections as at 34-34" to .lprovide a seat for a plate 36, the latter being secured to flanges 34-34 in any suitable manner and having an opening 3'! in a centrally disposed portion thereof. Opposed portions of plates 2l--2l are oppositely offset as at 38 38, the offset portions together forming a guideway 39 disposed on the central longitudinal axis of the frame structure.

The plate assembly 3| comprises four similar plates 4i each having a pair of legs 4243 disposed at right angles to one another. The legs 42-43 are suitably arranged back to back, and pairs of legs 42 and of legs 43 are directly secured together, the former by rivets 44 and the latter in any suitable manner, each opposed end portion of pieces 29 being disposed between a pair of legs 42, and each pair of legs 43 afford- 7 ing a pivot support. The portions of plates 4| where legs 42-43 come together are offset as at 45, the offset portions together forming a guideway 46 disposed on the central longitudinal axis of the frame structure in axial alignment with guideway 59 and opening 31 in plate 36, and rigidly mounted in the guideway 46 formed by the lowermost plate assembly 3! is a tubular guide sleeve 49. Pairs of pivot support plates 47 are rigidly secured in any suitable manner to op- I posed side portions of the main frame member 22 at the bust, Waist and hip lines, each plate 4? having opposite end portions thereof projectmg respectively beyond the front and rear of the main frame member 22. Openings formed inthe opposite end portions of each pair of plates 41 are disposed in axial alignment with similar openings in the associated pivot support legs 43 of plates 4|.

Each of the folding frame sections l3 to I8, inclusive, is made of wire stock and comprises a piece 48 having opposite end portions 49 similarly offset in the same direction from a main body portion, and also comprises a rib 5i terminally rigidly secured to the main body portion in any suitable manner, and disposed thereby to extend therefrom in the same direction as the offset opposite end portions 49 of piece 48. Folding frame sections [3 and [4 are disposed at the bust line, frame sections l5 and I6 are disposed at the waist line, and frame sections l'l'and l8 are disposed at the hip line, frames [3, l5 and I"! being further disposed in front of main frame section [2, and frames [4, l5 and i8 being further disposed to the rear thereof. In this connection, it will be seen that each of the aforementioned frames, except folding frame l4',-is horizontally disposed when the form is expanded,

and that frame 14 is inclined upward to the rear when the form is expanded. The free end portions of rib 5i and the offset end portions of each of the aforementioned folding frame sections are suitably disposed for pivotal connection to the associated pivot supports 43 and 4?, the aforementioned parts all having transversely aligned openings which'receive pivot pins 52.

The folding section l9 includes a shoulder plate 53 rigidly secured to the upper portion of the main frame section l2 by screws 54 and a stiffener plate 55, the latter being secured to the underside of a flange 34 in any known manner. Plate 53 is shaped to conform to the contour of the major portion of the shoulders and the adjoining upper back at the base of the neck. A chest plate 58 is hinged as at 5? to opposite end portions of plate 53, being shaped to conform with the contour of the upper chest,"and a back plate 58 is hinged as at 59 to an intermediate portion of plate 53, being shaped to conform with 4 the contour of the upper back. Each of the plates 58 and 58 have stiffening ribs formed therein as at B0.

The assembly 2! for actuating the folding frame sections l3 to 59 comprises a rod 6! and a tubular member 62 fitted over the upper end portion thereof, both being hooked as shown. At a lower end portion of the rod a short tubular sleeve 63 is fitted over the rod 6! and rigidly secured in place in any suitable manner. Mounted on spaced portions of rod til between tubular member 62 and tubular sleeve 83 and just above the bust, Waist and hip lines, respectively, are three collars 84, a similar collar 55 being mounted on rod 5! in end abutting relation to tubular member 62. A. pair of tubular spacers 66 are mounted on rod 6i between collars B4, and a tubular spacer 5? is mounted between the uppermost one of collars 64 and collar 65, all for the purpose of securing said collars against axial movment relative torod 6!. Mounted on the lowermost one of tubular spacers 66 is a compression spring 12 seated against spring seat washers l3l3 at opposite ends thereof.

The assembly 2i is mounted in guideways 39 and 46 and in tubular guide sleeve 4E, tubular member 62 being slidably and turnably received by guideway 38, tubular spacers 66 being similarly received by the associated guideways 46-and the lower extremit 68 of rod 6| being similarly received by tubular guide sleeve 49.

A portion of rod iii and tubular member 62 just below the hooked portion thereof mounts a pin 69 having opposite end portions thereof projecting outwardly therefrom, and opposed portions of plates 2l2l are oppositely offset as at 10--1U to permit movement of the opposite end portions, of pin to therebetween. Also, the openin in plate 36 is formed as at I i1l to permit passage of the opposite end portions of pin 69 therethrough.

Each folding frame 13 to 58, inclusive, is connected to the assembly H by means of a link 14 having opposite end portions pivotally connected respectively to the associated collar 64 and an intermediate portion of the associated rib 5 l. The folding frame I9 is similarly connected to assembly 2| by means of links HS-15 having opposite end portions pivotally connected respectively to collar 65 and intermediate portions of chest plate 56 and of back plate 58. And it will be understood that links 14 and it-16 may be considered as parts of the assembly 2!.

Referring particularly to Figures 1-6, the frame structure is shown in' expanded condition, the fabric covering the frame structure closely resembling the trunk of the human body. The assembly 2| is in its lowermost position relative to mainframe section l2, pin 69 being in the position shown in Figure 6. The compression spring [2 acts between the plate assembly 3! disposed at the waist line and the lowermost one of collars 64 and. by so doing urges the assembly 2! downward relative to main frame section l2, relative downward movement being limited by abutment of the opposed end portions of tubular sleeve 63 and tubular guide sleeve 40. The links 14 and 16 act as braces between the collars and the folding frame sections with which they are connected, thus restraining the latter against folding movement.

-Now referring particularly to Figures '7, 8 and 9, when the operator wishes to collapse the form,

I of spring 12.

main frame section I ij'asfonip'late 36;-withi the other hand.. The assembly 2 l. wil1.-:moveupward relative :to main frame section l 2, 'pin 697moving upward betweeni'pl'ates file-tubular member 62 sliding in guideway 39, tubular, spacers .66. sliding inthe associated guideways 46, and the lower extremity 68 :of rod 6 I sliding in tubular guide sleeve ...40:J..In moving from the position of Figure EitO that .of Figure 17;.links .fdrandlt arein .tension,

thuszzacting to swing: the foldingframe sections .inwardagainst mainframe section 12. V .szRefe'rring. particularly to Figure'fi', it will be 'noted' that; a'line passing through-;,-the pivoted connections. at opposite ends of any. one of the links "or 16 is inclined upwardand inward toward the center of the frame structure: Irraddition; it will benoted that the axes-of hinges 5.! and, 59 are disposed respectively above the piv- ,otedconnections of. links, 16 to the chest plate 5Band the back plate 58. Consequently, when the assembly 2| is pulled upwardrelativet'o-the main framesection l2,'the folding frame sections l3 to 19 inclusive .are folded against the mainframe section l2 from the position shown in Figure 5 -to that of Figure 7, sections iii to If, inclusive l swinging upward, and plates 56 and 58 of folding frame section l9 swinging downward.

, H .in plate 36 and then releases rod 6|, allowing pin 69'to beheldagainst plate Siiby the action To expand the form the operator.

turns rod Bl back again so that pin 69 is positioned to .register with slots H in plate 36 and -theopenings between plates 21-2] formed by the opposed oppositely offset portions '50 thereof.

Upon so-doing the assembly 2| is moved downward re lative to themain frame section I2 as a consequence ofthe action of spring, pin 5i) passing through slots H and between plates 2'l -2'| from the position shown in Figure 9 to that of Figure 6. In moving from the collapsed position shown-in Figure 7 to the expanded position shown in Figure 5 links 14- and 16 are in compression, thus acting to swing the folding frame sections outward from main frame section I 2.

: It: 'sh0uld, -be" obvious now that a combination;

dress form and hanger has been provided which, when expanded, affords adequate support about the neck opening of a dress draped thereon for displaying the dress to best advantage, and which,

{when collapsed; affordsmeans -for hanging the dress. In addition, the combination dress form and hanger provided-incorporates positive means 7, for securing it in collapsed position and for posi- --tiv-el-y expandingtheform and-maintainingit in such condition, at the will of the operator.

It will be understood, of course, that the present invention is susceptible of various changes and modifications which may be made from time to time without departing from the general principles or real spirit thereof, and it is accordingly intended to claim the same broadly, as well as specifically, as indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed as new and useful is:

1. In a collapsible garment form and hanger, a frame structure comprising an elongated flat main frame section, a plurality of folding frame sections each adapted to outline a portion of the human body and each carried by said main frame section for swinging movement between folded and expanded positions, said folding frame secpanded into body-conforming shape. 3. In a collapsible garment form and hanger,

. tions being disposed-flat against said main frame section when in the former of said positions and being disposed to suitably outline portions'ofthe human body when in thelatter of said positions, one of said folding frame'sections presenting an member to normally urge it into such position relatively to said main frame structure as to maintain said folding frame sections fully expandedintobody-conforming shape.

2. In a collapsible garment form and hanger,

-a frame structure comprising an elongated'flat main frame section, a plurality of folding frame sections each adapted to outline a portion ofthe human body and each carried by said main frame section for swinging movement between folded and expanded positions, said folding frame sections being disposed fiat against said main frame section when in the former of said positions, and being disposed to suitably outline portions of the human body when 'in the-latter of said-positions, one of said folding frame sections-including a plate member rigidly secured to said main frame section and a pair of additional plate members pivotally secured to said first mentioned plate member for swinging movement relative thereto, a rigid elongated member carriedlby said-main frame section and mounted for axial shifting movement relative thereto, said'memher being connected to said'folding frame sections for simultaneous swinging movement thereof between said folded and expanded positions in response to said axial shifting movement, and spring means operatively associatedwith said member to normally urge it into such position relatively to said main frame structure as to maintain said folding frame sections fully exa frame structure comprising an elongated flat mainframe section, a plurality offolding frame sections each adapted to outline aportion of the human body and each carried by said main frame section for swinging movement between folded and expanded positions, said folding frame sections being disposed fiat against said main frame section when in the former of said positions, and being disposed to suitably outline portions of the human body when in the latter of said positions, one of said folding frame sections includinga plate member rigidly secured to said main frame section and presenting an outer surface conforming in shape to the shoulders of the human body, and including a pair of additional plate members pivotally secured respectively to opposed edges of said first mentioned plate memher for swinging movement relative thereto and presenting outer surfaces respectively conforming in shape to the upper chest and upper back of the human body, a rigid elongated member carried by said main frame section and mounted for axial shifting movement relative thereto, said member being connected to said folding frame sections for simultaneous swinging movement thereof between said folded and expanded positions in response to said axial shifting moveq merit, and bplulg means operatively associated with said member to norm-ally urge it into such position relativciy to said main frame structure as to maintain said folding frame sections fully expanded into body-conforming shape.

'4. In a collapsible garment form and hanger, a frame structure comprising elongated fiat main frame section provided with a central opening, a plurality of folding frame sections each adapted to outline a portion :of {the human zbody and carried by said main frame section for swinging movement between folded and expanded positions, said folding frame sections being disposed flat against said main frame section when in the former of said positi ns, an losin disposed to suitably ou ine portions of the human body when in th fatt r o aid po i gated ;member and main frame section for expe di sa f m 5. in a collapsible garment form and hanger, a frame structure com-"prising an elongated flat main frame section including upperand lower end portions provided with coaxially ali ned openings, a plurality of folding frame sections each adapted to outline a portion of the human body and carried by said main frame section for swinging movement between folded and expanded positions, said folding frame sections being disposed flat against said main frame section when in the former of said positions, and being disposed to suitably outline portionsofthe human :body when in the latter of ,said positions, ,a rigid elongated member carried by said main frame-section and having axially spaced portions thereof disposed in said coaxially alined openings for shifting movement therein, said elongated member being connected to said folding frame sections for swinging movement of the latter between said folded and expanded positions in response :to movement of said elongated member, pin means on the latter for arresting downward shifting movement thereof relative to said main frame section andpositively securing said folding frame sections in their folded positions, a compression spring on saidelongated member reacting against said main frame section when said arresting means is inoperative and shifting said elongated member downward relative to said main frame 8 section for expanding said form, and stop means on said elongated member to limit downward shifting movement'of said elongated member rela tive to said main frame section.

6. In a collapsible garment formand hanger, a frame structure comprising an elongated flat -main frame section including upper and lowerenol portions provided with coaxially alined generally vertically extending openings, a plurality :of folding frame sections .each adapted to .outlinea .portion of the human body and carried :by said main frame section for swinging movement :between folded and expanded positions, said foldingframe sections being disposed flat against said vmain frame section when in the former of said .positions, and being disposed to :suitably outline portions of the human body when in the latter of said positions, a rigid elongated member carried by said main frame section and having spaced portions thereof disposed in said generally .vertically extending openings for vertical shifting and turning movement therein, said elongated member being connected to said folding frame sections for swinging movement of the :latter between said folded and expanded positions in response to vertical movement of said shiftable member, a pin carried by the latter and presenting exposed opposite end portions positionable to abut the upper end portion of said main frame section for arresting downward shifting movement of said elongated member relative to said main frame section and positively securing said folding frame sections in their -fo 1ded positions, a compression spring on-said elongated member which, upon suitable turning of said elongated member, reacts against said main frame section to shift said elongated member and pin downward relative :to said mainframe section for expanding said form, said exposed end portions of-the pin moving 'in said alinedopening in the upper end portion of the main frame section during said downward shifting movement of the elongated member relative to the main frame section, and stop means on said elongated member tolirnit downward shifting movement of said elongated -member relative to said main frame section.

BENJAMIN MARV N c. W- E XLEB. 

